10 questions with Richard Provencio

Richard Provencio could have tried to get tickets to Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans but then the diehard Niners fan wouldn't be here.

Jo Ann Kirby

Richard Provencio could have tried to get tickets to Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans but then the diehard Niners fan wouldn't be here.

Here happens to be a man cave the construction superintendent has carved out of the garage of his Stockton home.

It's full of 49ers-emblazoned memorabilia from the silly (a gnome) to the practical (a bar and barstool) to the seasonal (a witch hat and a Santa) and the treasured (a signed Joe Montana jersey and football).

There's all that and more. Much, much more.

Imagine something. Anything. Then picture it red, gold and sporting a 49ers logo.

Some of it has even creeped into the house, where there is a very posh red Niners recliner.

His most recent improvement was painting the floor of his fan base red. Not just any hue would do.

"Kelly-Moore said this was the closest match they could get to 49er red," the Franklin Class of 1982 grad said, proudly showing off the floor in his garage. "It looks good, don't you think?"

Most definitely.

But most importantly there's a flat-screen TV.

Today, the 48-year-old married father of six will set up his red-and-gold 49ers Ez-Up canopies and host a catered Super Bowl party for 49 of his closest friends and family.

As his 3-year-old son, Aidan, buzzed around sporting fan gear, the Stockton native explained his lifelong devotion to his team and his excitement for what is being dubbed as the Harbaugh Bowl.

Question: Why the Niners? Why not the Raiders?

Answer: My whole entire family are 49er fans. All of them. I was born and raised a 49er fan. Ever since 1964. I think the only one in my family that isn't is my son Richard. He went over to the Raiders.

Q: What can you tell us about your Super Bowl party?

A: I told my wife, she's going to enjoy this game. She doesn't have to do a thing. I have a taco truck catering. Tacos, rice, beans, chips, salsa, nacho bar. There will be hot dogs for the kids. That travel trailer right there is what I like to call the drunk tank. It sleeps 7. We don't let anyone drive home drunk. They can spend the night.

Q: Are you working Monday?

A: No. I'm off. But I'm sure there will be a lot of people calling in sick.

Q: How hard was it to stay loyal to your team through all those losing seasons?

A: You get frustrated. But I still went to see them play during the bad times.

Q: How does your wife feel about your obsession?

A: Oh, she's all for it. She loves the 49ers, too. Now, baseball is another story. I'm a Giants fan. She's a Dodgers fan.

Q: You've been a season ticket holder since 2002?

A: Yes. I have six seats. On game day, we head to Candlestick at 7 in the morning and set up the barbecue and the smoker. We drink beer and more beer. You make a lot of friends tailgating. We're known for our jalapeņo bacon wraps stuffed with cream cheese. People look for us.

Q: Who is your favorite player and why?

A: Right now, linebacker Aldon Smith. He's a rookie in his second season and he already has more stats than some players rack up their entire career. I have his jersey ordered. It will be here in time for the game. I like Vernon Davis, too. He's a beast.

Q: What do you think of Coach Jim Harbaugh's freakouts? There's a classic from the NFC Championship game on YouTube where he practically convulsed after losing a challenge.

A: I don't think you see him lose it too often unless it's a bad call. And in that game against Atlanta, that was a bad call. He's a good coach. He's a good guy.

Q: Final score?

A: I'm saying 21-14.

Q: But what if San Francisco loses to Baltimore? How will you feel?

A: Very disappointed. But, hey, I look at it this way. It's February and we're still playing. They got here. That's something to be proud of and we're going to take up four hours of your life watching them go for a sixth Super Bowl ring.